Multiple-Photon-Added and -Subtracted Two-Mode Binomial States:Nonclassicality and Entanglement *

We theoretically analyze the nonclassicality and entanglement of two new non-Gaussian entangled states generated by applying multiple-photon addition and subtraction to a two-mode binomial state. The nonclassical properties are investigated in terms of the partial negativity of the Wigner functions, whose results show that their nonclassicality can be enhanced via one-mode even-number photon operations and two-mode symmetrical operations for the initial two-mode binomial state. We also find that there exists some enhancement in the entanglement properties in certain parameter ranges via one-mode photon-addition and two-mode symmetrical operations.     

Plug-and-play dual-phase-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution with photon subtraction

Plug-and-play dual-phase-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) protocol can effectively solve the security loopholes associated with transmitting local oscillator (LO). However, this protocol has larger excess noise compared with one-way Gaussian-modulated coherent-states scheme, which limits the maximal transmission distance to a certain degree. In this paper, we show a reliable solution for this problem by employing non-Gaussian operation, especially, photon subtraction operation, which provides a way to improve the performance of plug-and-play dual-phase-modulated CVQKD protocol. The photon subtraction operation shows experimental feasibility in the plug-andplay configuration since it can be implemented under current technology. Security results indicate that the photon subtraction operation can evidently enhance the maximal transmission distance of the plug-and-play dual-phase-modulated CVQKD protocol, which effectively makes up the drawback of the original one. Furthermore, we achieve the tighter bound of the transmission distance by considering the finite-size effect, which is more practical compared with that achieved in the asymptotic limit.     

Four-State Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Photon Subtraction

Four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is one of the discretely modulated CVQKD which generates four nonorthogonal coherent states and exploits the sign of the measured quadrature of each state to encode information rather than uses the quadrature \(\hat {x}\) or \(\hat {p}\) itself. It has been proven that four-state CVQKD is more suitable than Gaussian modulated CVQKD in terms of transmission distance. In this paper, we propose an improved four-state CVQKD using an non-Gaussian operation, photon subtraction. A suitable photon-subtraction operation can be exploited to improve the maximal transmission of CVQKD in point-to-point quantum communication since it provides a method to enhance the performance of entanglement-based (EB) CVQKD. Photon subtraction not only can lengthen the maximal transmission distance by increasing the signal-to-noise rate but also can be easily implemented with existing technologies. Security analysis shows that the proposed scheme can lengthen the maximum transmission distance. Furthermore, by taking finite-size effect into account we obtain a tighter bound of the secure distance, which is more practical than that obtained in the asymptotic limit.     

Enhanced Phase Estimation in Parity-Detection-Based Mach–Zehnder Interferometer using Non-Gaussian Two-Mode Squeezed Thermal Input State

While the quantum metrological advantages of performing non-Gaussian operations on two-mode squeezed vacuum (TMSV) states have been extensively explored, similar studies in the context of two-mode squeezed thermal (TMST) states are severely lacking. This paper explores the potential advantages of performing non-Gaussian operations on TMST state for phase estimation using parity detection-based Mach–Zehnder interferometry and compares it with the TMSV case. To this end, a realistic photon subtraction, addition, and catalysis model is considered. A unified Wigner function of the photon subtracted, photon added, and photon catalyzed TMST state is derived, which is used to obtain the expression for the phase sensitivity. The results show that performing non-Gaussian operations on TMST states can enhance the phase sensitivity for significant squeezing and transmissivity parameter ranges. Because of the probabilistic nature of these operations, it is of utmost importance to consider their success probability. When the success probability is considered, the photon catalysis operation performed using a high transmissivity beam splitter is the optimal non-Gaussian operation. This contrasts with the TMSV case, where photon addition is observed as the most optimal. Further, the derived Wigner function of the non-Gaussian TMST states will be useful for state characterization and various quantum protocols.     

Decoherence and Fidelity in Teleportation of Coherent Photon-Added Two-Mode Squeezed Thermal States

We theoretically introduce a kind of non-Gaussian entangled resources, i.e., coherent photon-added two-mode squeezed thermal states (CPA-TMSTS), by successively performing coherent photon addition operation to the two-mode squeezed thermal states. The normalization factor related to bivariate Hermite polynomials is obtained. Based upon it, the nonclassicality and decoherence process are analyzed by virtue of the Wigner function. It is shown that the coherent photon addition operation is an effective way in generating partial negative values of Wigner function, which clearly manifests the nonclassicality and non-Gaussianity of the target states. Additionally, the fidelity in teleporting coherent states using CPA-TMSTS as entangled resource is quantified both analytically and numerically. It is found that the CPA-TMSTS is an entangled resource of high-efficiency and high-fidelity in quantum teleportation.     

Nonclassicality and Entanglement of Photon-Subtracted Two-Mode Squeezed Coherent States Studied via Entangled-States Representation

We theoretically introduce a kind of non-Gaussian entangled states, i.e., photon-subtracted two-mode squeezed coherent states (PSTMSCS), by successively subtracting photons from each mode of the two-mode squeezed coherent states. The normalization factor which is related to bivariate Hermite polynomials is obtained by virtue of the two-mode squeezing operator in entangled-states representation. The sub-Poissonian photon statistics, antibunching effects, and partial negative Wigner function, respectively, are observed numerically, which fully reflect the nonclassicality of the resultant states. Finally, employing the SV criteria and the EPR correlation, respectively, the entangled property of PSTMSCS is analyzed. It is shown that the photon subtraction operation can effectively enhance the inseparability between the two modes.     

Improving continuous-variable quantum key distribution under local oscillator intensity attack using entanglement in the middle

A modified continuous-variable quantum key distribution(CVQKD) protocol is proposed by originating the entangled source from a malicious third party Eve in the middle instead of generating it from the trustworthy Alice or Bob. This method is able to enhance the efficiency of the CVQKD scheme attacked by local oscillator(LO) intensity attack in terms of the generated secret key rate in quantum communication. The other indication of the improvement is that the maximum transmission distance and the maximum loss tolerance can be increased significantly, especially for CVQKD schemes based on homodyne detection.     

Performance Improvement of Atmospheric Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Untrusted Source

Atmospheric continuous-variable quantum key distribution (ACVQKD) has been proven to be secure theoretically with the assumption that the signal source is well protected by the sender so that it cannot be compromised. However, this assumption is quite unpractical in realistic quantum communication system. In this work, we investigate a practical situation in which the signal source is no longer protected by the legitimate parts, but is exposed to the untrusted atmospheric channel. We show that the performance of ACVQKD is reduced by removing the assumption, especially when putting the untrusted source at the middle of the channel. To improve the performance of the ACVQKD with the untrusted source, a non-Gaussian operation, called photon subtraction, is subsequently introduced. Numerical analysis shows that the performance of ACVQKD with an untrusted source can be improved by properly adopting the photon subtraction operation. Moreover, a special situation where the untrusted source is located in the middle of the atmospheric channel is also considered. Under direct reconciliation, we find that its performance can be significantly improved when the photon subtraction operation is manipulated by the sender.     

Increasing entanglement between Gaussian states by coherent photon subtraction

We experimentally demonstrate that the entanglement between Gaussian entangled states can be increased by non-Gaussian operations. Coherent subtraction of single photons from Gaussian quadrature-entangled light pulses, created by a nondegenerate parametric amplifier, produces delocalized states with negative Wigner functions and complex structures more entangled than the initial states in terms of negativity. The experimental results are in very good agreement with the theoretical predictions.     

Short-wave infrared continuous-variable quantum key distribution over satellite-to-submarine channels

The trans-media transmission of quantum pulse is one of means of free-space transmission which can be applied in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system. In traditional implementations for atmospheric channels, the 1500-to-1600-nm pulse is regarded as an ideal quantum pulse carrier. However, the underwater transmission of this pulses tends to suffer from severe attenuation, which inevitably deteriorates the security of the whole CVQKD system. In this paper, we propose an alternative scheme for implementations of CVQKD over satellite-to-submarine channels. We estimate the parameters of the trans-media channels, involving atmosphere, sea surface and seawater and find that the short-wave infrared performs well in the above channels. The 450-nm pulse is used for generations of quantum signal carriers to accomplish quantum communications through atmosphere, sea surface and seawater channels. Numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme can achieve the transmission distance of 600 km. In addition, we demonstrate that non-Gaussian operations can further lengthen its maximal transmission distance, which contributes to the establishment of practical global quantum networks.     

三粒子纠缠相干态的隐形传态

提出了一个利用一个两粒子最大纠缠相干态和一个三粒子纠缠相干态作为量子信道进行三粒子纠缠相干态隐形传态的方案.该方案只需线性光学操作和双模光子数测量.计算结果表明,应用本方案的设置,隐形传态成功的概率与所用的相干态的平均光子数有关,反映了纠缠相干态的非正交特性.     

Optimal quantum cloning on a beam splitter

We demonstrate how a beam splitter in combination with different light sources can be used as an optimal universal 1-->2 quantum cloner and as an optimal universal quantum NOT machine for the polarization qubit of a single photon. For the cloning a source of single photons with maximally mixed polarization is required and for the NOT operation a source of maximally entangled photon pairs. We demonstrate both operations with near optimal fidelity. Our scheme can be generalized in a natural way to clone and NOT the spin state of electrons.     

Continuous-Variable Entanglement and Wigner-Function Negativity via Adding or Subtracting Photons

The performance of adding or subtracting photons on two-mode squeezed thermal states via examining the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) correlation, the Hillery–Zubairy (HZ) correlation, the fidelity of teleportation, and the negativity of Wigner function is theoretically investigated. The normalization factors and the teleportation fidelity are related to Jacobi polynomials, and the (evolved) Wigner functions are simply associated with two-variable Hermite polynomials. Compared with the original squeezed thermal states, the EPR correlation and the teleportation fidelity can be enhanced by photon subtraction and basically weakened by photon addition symmetric operations, but they cannot be enhanced for both photon addition and subtraction asymmetric cases. Also, HZ correlation can provide a better option relative to the EPR correlation in detecting the entanglement, and the fidelity for teleporting a squeezed state with a large squeezing can also be enhanced via photon addition symmetric operations, in contrast to teleporting a coherent state. Additionally, the nonclassicality is discussed in terms of the negativity of the (evolved) Wigner functions, which shows that photon addition and subtraction and the squeezing cannot restrain the deteriorate of nonclassicality, and the evolved Wigner functions become Gaussian (corresponding to vacuum) with long decay times as a result of amplitude decay.     

Classical correlations can enhance the continuous-variable quantum key distribution

We address the effect of classical correlations, introduced to a quantum resource used for the continuous-variable quantum key distribution. The set-up is based on an entangled source with two trusted parties performing homodyne measurements on their modes, thus corresponding to the preparation of squeezed states, while one of the modes is traveling to the remote party through lossy and noisy channel. The security of the scheme is considered against individual and collective eavesdropping attacks. It is shown that the classical correlations added to the entangled source increase the performance of the scheme both quantatively in terms of the secure key rate and qualitatively in terms of the security region with respect to the tolerable excess noise for both types of attacks and the improvement is essentially significant for sources possessing low degree of nonclassicality.     

Controlling Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Entanglement in the Middle Using Tunable Linear Optics Cloning Machines

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) can provide detection efficiency, as compared to discrete-variable quantum key distribution (DVQKD). In this paper, we demonstrate a controllable CVQKD with the entangled source in the middle, contrast to the traditional point-to-point CVQKD where the entanglement source is usually created by one honest party and the Gaussian noise added on the reference partner of the reconciliation is uncontrollable. In order to harmonize the additive noise that originates in the middle to resist the effect of malicious eavesdropper, we propose a controllable CVQKD protocol by performing a tunable linear optics cloning machine (LOCM) at one participant’s side, say Alice. Simulation results show that we can achieve the optimal secret key rates by selecting the parameters of the tuned LOCM in the derived regions.     

Quantum multiparameter estimation with multi-mode photon catalysis entangled squeezed state

We propose a method to generate the multi-mode entangled catalysis squeezed vacuum states (MECSVS) by embedding the cross-Kerr nonlinear medium into the Mach−Zehnder interferometer. This method realizes the exchange of quantum states between different modes based on Fredkin gate. In addition, we study the MECSVS as the probe state of multi-arm optical interferometer to realize multi-phase simultaneous estimation. The results show that the quantum Cramer−Rao bound (QCRB) of phase estimation can be improved by increasing the number of catalytic photons or decreasing the transmissivity of the optical beam splitter using for photon catalysis. In addition, we also show that even if there is photon loss, the QCRB of our photon catalysis scheme is lower than that of the ideal entangled squeezed vacuum states (ESVS), which shows that by performing the photon catalytic operation is more robust against photon loss than that without the catalytic operation. The results here can find applications in quantum metrology for multiparatmeter estimation.     

Entanglement of Photon-Subtracted Two-Mode Squeezed Thermal State and Its Decoherence in Thermal Environments

Using a non-Gaussian operation—photon subtraction from two-mode squeezed thermal state (PS-TMSTS), we construct a kind of entangled state. A Jacobi polynomial is found to be related to the normalization factor. The negativity of Wigner function (WF) is used to discuss its nonclassicality. The investigated entanglement properties turn out that the symmetrical PS-TMSTS may be more effective than the non-symmetric for quantum teleportation. Then the time evolution of WF is used to examine the decoherence effect, which indicates that the characteristic time of single PS-TMSTS depends not only on the average photon number of environment, but also on the average photon number of thermal state and the squeezing parameter.     

Photon-number distribution of two-mode squeezed thermal states by entangled state representation

Using the entangled state representation, we convert a two-mode squeezed number state to a Hermite polynomial excited squeezed vacuum state. We first analytically derive the photon number distribution of the two-mode squeezed thermal states. It is found that it is a Jacobi polynomial; a remarkable result. This result can be directly applied to obtaining the photon number distribution of non-Gaussian states generated by subtracting from (adding to) two-mode squeezed thermal states.     

Linear optical scheme for entanglement concentration of two partially entangled three-photon ${\sf W}$ states

We propose a practical scheme for concentrating entanglement in a pair of unknown partially entangled three-photon W states with only linear optics and photon detectors. In the scheme, Alice, Bob, and Charlie at three distant parties can obtain one maximally entangled three-photon W state with a certain success probability from two identical partially entangled three-photon W states by local operations and classical communication. The proposed setup is very simple, which greatly simplifies the experimental realization of the scheme.     

Effects of photon addition on quantum nonlocality of squeezed entangled coherent states

Effects of photon addition on quantum nonlocality of squeezed entangled coherent states for Bell-inequality tests are studied theoretically. By utilizing the method of photon-parity measurement, it is found that photon addition can always increase the degrees of Bell violations within a certain parameter range. A possible scheme for generating photon-added squeezed entangled coherent states is proposed.